White House vs. FOX News: Round Two: The Swamp

Posted October 12, 2009 9:30 AM

by Mark Silva and updated with a transcript

The White House has escalated its complaints about the FOX News Channel from a rebuttal on the White House Web-site blog challenging the words of FOX commentators to a stand-up interview outside the White House challenging the orientation of the entire network.

Anita Dunn, the White House communications director, who has served a few Democratic presidential campaigns in her time, accuses FOX of serving as an "arm'' of the Republican Party.

For its part, FOX maintains that its commentators have clear points of view -- as do other networks' commentators -- but that the news desk is all news. But Dunn suggests that the whole network has an agenda -- she said so in an appearance on CNN's Reliable Sources over the weekend.

"The reality of it is that Fox often operates almost as either the research arm or the communications arm of the Republican Party," Dunn said

The president had recently chosen to bypass FOX in his round of Sunday morning network and cable news appearances because of the administration's belief that FOX is predisposed against the president and his agenda, the communications chief -- dare we say, "czar?'' told Reliable Sources' Howard Kurtz, the media-critic czar for The Washington Post.

"He'll go on Fox because he engages with ideological opponents," Dunn said. "He has done that before and he'll do it again."

Yet, she said, "when he goes on FOX, he understands that he's not really going on it as
a news network, at this point. He's going to debate the opposition. And that's fine. He never minds doing that.

"They're widely viewed as a part of the Republican Party - take [the GOP's] talking points, put'em on the air, take [the GOP's] opposition research, put'em on the air." Dunn also told Kurtz. "But let's not pretend that they're a news network the way CNN is.''

In a written statement delivered to CNN, FOX News maintained that its programming is comparable to the news and editorial pages of a newspaper.

"An increasing number of viewers are relying on FOX News for both news and opinion FOX News Senior VP Michael Clemente said in the statement, "and the average news consumer can certainly distinguish between the A-section of the newspaper and the editorial page, which is what our programming represents.

"So with all due respect to anyone who might still be confused about the difference between news reporting and vibrant opinion, my suggestion would be to talk about the stories and the facts rather than the attack the messenger . . . which over time has never worked."

Here, courtesy of CNN's Reliable Sources, is a transcript of the talk:

ANITA DUNN, WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Howie, thanks for having me.

HOWARD KURTZ: As we heard, President Obama on Friday said that he did not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. It wasn't something he sought.

And yet, you have all these conservative commentators saying this is a joke, it's an outrage, it's somehow a bad thing.

What's your reaction to that?

DUNN: Well, you know, a week ago on the previous Friday, many conservative commentators had been rejoicing in the fact, celebrating in the fact that the United States didn't get the Olympics. One week later, they seem to be somewhat bitter at the fact that an American president was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

So, I think people will draw their own conclusions about the reflexive negativity on the part of some commentators, regardless of what happened.

KURTZ: So, these (ph)...

DUNN: I think the bigger point, though...

KURTZ: These (ph) (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

DUNN: And, you know, I think the bigger point is that -- and the president himself said this was -- that he was surprised, as I think most of the press corps was.

He feels that he, you know, didn't really deserve it, as I think, you know, there are many people who feel that this is still, you know, particularly in terms of this presidency, it's the first year.

So, I think that, you know, that those people who are saying, you know, this is really quite unusual, this really does seem to be, you know, a big surprise to everyone...

KURTZ: Yes.

DUNN: You know, that's not out of bounds.

KURTZ: OK.

DUNN: Absolutely not out of bounds.

KURTZ: All right, good.

DUNN: I think -- you know, I think what the president also said, though, today -- on Friday...

KURTZ: Let me stop you, because...

DUNN: Yes.

KURTZ: ... we're short on time. And we'll play what the president said.

DUNN: Yes, (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Yes.

KURTZ: We're talking about conservative commentators, so let's talk about Fox News.

DUNN: Yes.

KURTZ: You were quoted this week in Time Magazine as saying of Fox News, it's opinion journalism masquerading as news.

What do you mean, "masquerading"?

DUNN: Well, you know, Howie, I think if we went back a year ago to the fall of 2008, to the campaign, that, you know, it was a time that this country was in two wars, that we'd had a financial collapse probably more significant than any financial collapse since the Great Depression.

If you were a Fox News viewer in the fall election, what you would have seen would have been that the biggest story, the biggest threats facing America were a guy named Bill Ayers and something called Acorn, when the reality of it is that Fox News often operates almost as either the research arm or the communications arm of the Republican Party.

And it's not ideological. I mean, obviously, there are many commentators who have (ph) conservative, liberal, centrist. And everybody understands that.

What I think is fair to say about Fox, and certainly the way we view it, is that it really is more a wing of the Republican Party. That said, but (ph) it's (ph) sad (ph).

KURTZ: Is that the reason -- is that the reason the president did not go on Fox News Sunday a few weeks back when he did all the other Sunday shows? And will President Obama appear on Fox News again, let's say, this year?

DUNN: Well, you know, Howie, President Obama appeared on -- he did THE FACTOR. He did O'REILLY...

KURTZ: Yes. That was during the campaign.

DUNN: ... in the campaign last year.

As president earlier this year, putting (ph) up (ph) with news anchors...

KURTZ: OK. But my question is...

DUNN: ... like (ph) Chris Wallace. And...

KURTZ: ... will he appear on Fox in the next couple of months?

DUNN: You know, you had a two-part question. The first was, is this why he did not appear? And the answer is, yes.

Obviously, he'll go on Fox, because he engages with ideological opponents, and he has done that before. He will do it again. I can't give you a date. But, frankly, I can't give you dates for anybody else right now.

But what I will say is that, when he goes on Fox, he understands he's not going on it really as a news network. It's like he's going on to debate the opposition. And that's fine. He never minds doing that.

But...

KURTZ: OK. Well, on that point...

DUNN: ... it's a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) process (ph).

KURTZ: On that point, I'm going to interrupt you...

DUNN: Yes.

KURTZ: ... because I want to read a statement from Fox senior V.P., Michael Clemente...

DUNN: Yes.

KURTZ: ... who said the following. We'll put it up on the screen.

An increasing number of viewers are relying on Fox News for both news and opinion. And the average news consumer can certainly distinguish between the A section of a newspaper and the editorial page, which is what our programming represents.

So, with all due respect to anyone who might still be confused about the difference between news reporting and vibrant (ph) opinion, my suggestion would be to talk about the stories and the facts rather than attack the messenger, which over time has never worked.

Your response.

DUNN: Yes. Well, I think that there have been numerous independent analyses that have looked at the difference between, say, CNN, ABC, NBC and ABC, and Fox, and have seen that there is a very different story selection. There's a very different -- even down to the tie (ph) run

(ph) they run below stories. That, you know, this isn't us making it up, Howie. You study the media. You know that...

KURTZ: Well...

DUNN: ... it's not just their opinions, though.

KURTZ: Take Major Garrett. He's the White House correspondent for Fox News.

DUNN: Right.

KURTZ: Do you think he's fair? Do you think he's masquerading as a newsman?

DUNN: I will say -- and I have done this in my interviews -- I have differentiated. No, I have not said that I've differentiated between Major Garrett, who we (ph) view (ph) as a very good correspondent, and his network. And Major knows this.

Major tends (ph) to (ph) cost (ph) me when we didn't include Chris in the...

KURTZ: Chris Wallace, of course.

DUNN: ... roundup Sunday shows.

KURTZ: Chris Wallace, yes.

DUNN: Chris Wallace from the Sunday shows.

And I told Major quite honestly that we had told Chris Wallace that having fact-checked an administration guest on his show -- something I've never seen a Sunday show do. And, Howie, you can show me examples of where Sunday shows have fact-checked previous weeks' guests, and I'd be happy to see those.

We asked Chris, for an example, where he had done that to anybody besides somebody from the administration in the year 2009. And we're still waiting to hear from him.

KURTZ: All right.

DUNN: When they want to treat us like they treat everyone else.

But let's be realistic here, Howie. You know, they are -- they're widely viewed as, you know, part of the Republican Party. Take their talking points, put them on the air. Take their opposition research, put them on the air and that's fine.

But let's not pretend they're a news network the way CNN is.

KURTZ: And you are making a distinction, just before I move on, between the opinion guys -- O'Reilly, Hannity, Glenn Beck -- and people like Major Garrett.

DUNN: Yes. I'm not talking about people like Major Garrett. I'm talking about the overall programming.

KURTZ: OK.

DUNN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). The "New York Times" had a front page story about Nevada senator, John Ensign, and the fact that he had gotten his former chief of staff a job as a lobbyist, then helped those clients

-- his former chief of staff's wife with somebody Ensign had had an affair with...

KURTZ: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in court.

DUNN: Right.

Now, the D.C. coverage of that on Fox News -- I'm not talking Glenn Beck. I'm not talking Sean, not talking THE FACTOR. I'm talking about Fox news.

KURTZ: I will have to check on that. I assume you know the answer.

Let me ask you about the mainstream media in general. You and your colleagues at the White House seem to believe that journalists have fallen down on the job when it comes to allowing or spreading or repeating misinformation.

Is that the problem? Or is the problem that sometimes they're reporting information that's not to the administration's liking?

DUNN: Oh, listen. There's never been an administration, starting with George Washington, who thought that they were covered the way they should be.

We make mistakes. We have problems. We expect those to get covered. We expect to take our hits, and we do.

KURTZ: But are you...

DUNN: As (UNINTELLIGIBLE) concern...

KURTZ: Are you leading a kind of an effort, almost like a war room effort, to combat statements that are made as part of the 24 news hour news cycle the president openly (ph) deplores?

DUNN: When the statements are untrue, when they mischaracterize, when they are using opposition research as (ph) (UNINTELLIGIBLE). When people are just not being honest, absolutely. We're going to go out there and we're going to correct those facts.

We learned over the summer that the mainstream media often will start covering these total inaccuracies as a controversy. And that's the way it gets into the pressroom. It's the way it gets on the front page of the "New York Times."

We're not going to let that happen, stand by and let people go characterize the president's policy in ways that are simply not true.

KURTZ: Well, the media did...

DUNN: They do, though. Nobody has a question...

KURTZ: The media did blow the whistle on the so-called "death panel," and they said that they were completely bogus.

Go ahead and make your point.

DUNN: Well, my point is very simple, was that the Republican member of Congress, who delivered the response to the president's address to the Joint Session of Congress on health care in September, was one of the early sponsors of the so-called "death panel" legislation, which I don't believe you know, do you.

KURTZ: I'm happy to be educated.

Let me ask you a last question before we go.

To some extent, poll numbers being down, problems piling up, things are not going as well as you probably would like for the administration. I'm wondering whether the people who (ph) line (ph) up

(ph) are just a little shell-shocked, because Barack Obama got such good coverage during the campaign and now he's getting pretty typical presidential coverage, which is to say, pretty rough coverage.

DUNN: Oh, you know the reality is we -- you know, one of the great strengths of President Obama as a candidate and as president, is his ability to take the long view, understand there are going to be good times, there are going to be bad times.

Certainly, in the course of his two-year campaign, Howie -- and I don't think we would disagree -- there were some times that were quite rough for us, in particular around the Pennsylvania primary, and certainly...

KURTZ: Every (ph) right (ph)...

DUNN: ... in the general election as well. Absolutely. And we understand that.

And he understands better than anyone. You know, you're going be up; you're going to be down.

What is true, though, is that you do not have to be a passive bystander when your opponents are seeking not to have a debate on the issues, but simply to tear down the president and his presidency. And that's what we're not going to do. We will push back.

KURTZ: All right. The White House is not going to be passive.

Anita Dunn, thank you very much for joining us from the lawn (ph).

DUNN: Thank you, Howie.

Comments

my suggestion would be to talk about the stories and the facts rather than the attack the messenger . . . which over time has never worked."

Gosh Mark......Do you think Bruce and John D agree? I expect to see them on these pages defending Faux news with the very same argument. Hey Bruce......tell us what else the swamp "won't tell you". Let us know what 3rd cousin once removed to the "expert" once married a democrat which automatically disqualifies their opinion.

Posted by: bill r. | October 12, 2009 9:57 AM

Fox equals TV freedom-

What next for Obama - Muzzle the Internet, to advance his Socalist Reveloution in America.

Posted by: inky | October 12, 2009 10:06 AM

Fox IS an propaganda arm of the extreme right wing of he republican Party. Murdoch and The Moonies are rightwing anti-government extremists and make no pretense.

Look at headlines on Google News. You can tell without looking which ones come from the Washington Times and Fox. They're snarky, distorted and aggressively anti-Obama.

The rest of the "Press" should be calling them on it, not the White House.

Posted by: thebob.bob | October 12, 2009 10:12 AM

I believe a station like Faux is a necessity for the right. They are a perpetually unhappy lot and need a channel who tells them who to blame for their miserable lives.

Posted by: bill r. | October 12, 2009 10:44 AM

"But let's not pretend that they're a news network the way CNN is.'

But, that's exactly what Fox News does.

Posted by: Wendy C | October 12, 2009 10:51 AM

The rest of the "Press" should be calling them on it, not the White House.

Posted by: thebob.bob | October 12, 2009 10:12 AM

Have you ever seen one of the "press" dinners? They're all in it together, many of them married to each other. When I want the truth, want to watch a speech or find out anything our government is doing, I turn to C-SPAN. Yes it was created by the cable companies but it is the only place where you'll see how many of your representatives don't bother to show up to vote on a bill or listen to what is in a bill before they vote. You will see the real numbers of people who show up to a protest without the blabbering heads who are making millions off of reading their bosses opinions.

Now do you want to know how I really feel about the "news"?

Posted by: lochnessmonster | October 12, 2009 10:52 AM

Did Ms. Dunn have an opinion regarding MSNBC?

Posted by: Chicago Al | October 12, 2009 10:52 AM

inky:

They're going to come knocking on your house next for your moronic talking points-i-listen-to-fox-and-rush-like-it's-the-word-of-god mentality.

Emphasis on the mental, wingnut. Let me guess....left-wing media? That's an urban legend. Coming only...and I do mean ONLY...from the far-right-wing fringe.

From which swamp you, yourself, come from.

Congratulations.

Posted by: Reality Check | October 12, 2009 10:55 AM

Fox certainly does stand for what is the worst part of "freedom of the press." They are not a news channel. Everyone knows that except for the marginalized Republicans. Fox is neither balanced nor thoughtful in their Rush-like tirades. No intelligent person can seriously watch that drivel.

Posted by: chigirl | October 12, 2009 10:57 AM

HIt 'em with your purse Barrack!

What a bunch of cry babys.

Posted by: JD | October 12, 2009 10:59 AM

There is no doubt Fox opinion commentators such as Beck and Hannity are critical of Obama. There is no doubt that commentators at other networks, such as MSNBC, are Obama cheerleaders. It seems the White House does not have a problem with biased commentators, but only with biased commentators that are critical of the Administration's agenda. The Administration has no business using a tax payer funded post to smear private media, and it looks even worse singling out only critics on the basis of bias. Get some thicker skin.

Posted by: Herbie H. | October 12, 2009 11:03 AM

You can easily replace the word "republican" as it relates to Fox News with "Democrat" on the Fake News channels like CNN, NBC, MSNBC and the rest, as they are blatantly PRO-Obama and his socialist agenda. Those no-longer-main-stream media outlets (no one with any balanced intelligence watches them or hosts their shows) aren't interested in reporting worthy news, so we should all thank whatever god we pray to that, even IF Fox News might be slightly biased and might get something wrong now and again, at least their out there challenging the newsmakers with legitimate questions, and not trying to MAKE they news themselves.

Posted by: One of 58 Million | October 12, 2009 11:04 AM

Then why does everyone watch Fox News, as opposed to the formerly mainstream media outlets COMBINED? C'mon, you all KNOW why- because if it weren't for them, the present administration, which already KNOWS it's going to lose big in 2010 (and probably in 2012) is trying to shove their agenda through so quickly, and are willing to sacrifice their own to do so.

Posted by: One of 58 Million | October 12, 2009 11:11 AM

Even if Fox News is slanted right, are you trying to tell me that CNN, MSNBC, CBS, NBC and ABC and their ilk are NOT slanted left? Be honest...Oh, wait- I forgot.

Posted by: One of 58 Million | October 12, 2009 11:14 AM

Fox has high ratings because Fox appeals to the LCD (lowest common denominator). That's not really anything to be proud of.

Posted by: Jay J | October 12, 2009 11:14 AM

"But let's not pretend that they're a news network (FOX) the way CNN is."

... Hmmm, and I once thought that CNN stood for "The Clinton News Network" ...I'm relieved to know that the "mainstream media" isn't biased after all ...let's shut down FOX and put ALL Republicans and people we suspect to hold such views in Japanese WWII style internment camps... We are at war after all!!... no, wait, Obama says were not any more ...Ok, forget that ... Hey, can someone tell our liberal friends in Congress to get cracking on the climate change bill, things need to start heating up, we've had snow already and it's only October ...!

Posted by: Al Gore Jr. | October 12, 2009 11:21 AM

The more I read the expected remarks from serial commenters such as billr, wendy, realitycheck, etc., the more I see how concerned they really are about conservatives. If conservatives are as "marginalized" as you all indicate, then why all the worry? Your party's message is so on-point and universally accepted, there should be no concern at all. Yet, you never miss an opportunity to look down your nose and attack those with whom you disagree. I mean, what right do they have to do that? Really!

The fact is that you are concerned at the giant holes in your own proverbial ballon. I hate to break it to you, but more and more people are paying attention to the man behind the curtain. I'm sure that just infuriates you even more.

And yet billr says that conservatives are the ones with the "miserable lives." Sure, bill. Just stick with that one.

Posted by: Freddy | October 12, 2009 11:22 AM

One would think that any criticism that the White house has in regard to the legitimacy of Fox News could be easily put to bed by the president making an apperance on one of their shows. It seems to me that he's afraid of being asked a serious question regarding the direction of his policies; much like Gore is afraid to answer any questions that oppose his global warming...umm climate change agenda.

Posted by: MBogus | October 12, 2009 11:32 AM

You liberals are still a joke! Get a dose of reality. The FNC ratings far surpass any other cable network because people are tired of the liberal bias--wake up.
CNN (Clinton News Network or Communist News Network, take your pick) has gotten a bit better over the years but still pretty bad.
The other cable networks and liberal elite media have long way to go.
Reality and rating don't lie (unlike the Democratic Party does).

Posted by: DMK | October 12, 2009 11:33 AM

Poor President '57 or 58 states' just can not except the fact that not everyone will carry his lieing Marxist water or worship at his very flawed clay feet. Pity.

Thank God for Fox News - www.WashingtonTimes.com - www.NationalReview.com - www.WSJ.com

See yal at OUR next Great American Party.

Don't like it? To bad. First Amendment says we can (and should)!

Posted by: Wise Nemo | October 12, 2009 11:37 AM

"The reality of it is that Fox often operates almost as either the research arm or the communications arm of the Republican Party,"
And what is MSNBC? All news stations besides Fox are biased in favor of the democrats. All news has to be taken with a grain of salt, sadly. News today seems to be "reporters" voicing their political opinions instead of reporting the facts. When I watch MSNBC I know that I am getting the liberal viewpoint and when I watch Fox I get the conservative viewpoint. I watch both and figure the truth is in their somewhere...

Posted by: EMK | October 12, 2009 11:42 AM

Hasn't anyone watched MSNBC? If Fox is accused of being an arm of the Republican party, what is MSNBC?
They all love Obama.

Posted by: scott s. | October 12, 2009 11:44 AM

Obama is just bent because FOX is the only network that consistantly tells the whole story. He just can't afford that nor can the Democrats in Congress. Keeping voters ignorant is a key cornerstone to the Democrats.

We have a lot of laws regarding slander and libel. I seem to recall that there are just a few lawyers in Washington, why haven't they sued?

Could it that they can't?

Posted by: Greg | October 12, 2009 11:49 AM

This administration really does have thin skin, they cannot take any criticism at all. Does Fox lean right with their commentary shows, absolutely. Does MSNBC and CNN lean left with their commentary shows, absolutely. Only it is acceptable and great journalism when CNN and MSNBC do it, and despicable when Fox does it. Just imagine if the Bush administration had complained about the content on one of those channels, they would have been ridiculed and accused of threatening free speech. 99% of all Obama's "news coverage" are puff pieces that compliment him, which is a big reason he cannot deal with criticism on any level, he's so used to nothing but praise and adoration that any critical coverage really sets them off like a 5 year old child.

Posted by: Steve C | October 12, 2009 11:49 AM

I just want to make sure I understand the thread. If Fox is critical of a Democrat, they're "Faux" News and an "arm of the Republican Party." If MSNBC, CNN, ABC, The New York Times, etc are critical of a Republican they're a legitimate news organization. Do I have have this right?

Posted by: Longk9 | October 12, 2009 11:54 AM

Fox "news" is proof that people only know what they are told. If people are told they are "fair and balanced" then some people will believe it. If people are told the world is flat some will believe it.

It doesn't take more than 5 minutes of viewing fox to understand that it is clearly right wing propaganda and now news.

Posted by: Bill Johnson | October 12, 2009 11:55 AM

"... the average news consumer can certainly distinguish between the A-section of the newspaper and the editorial page..."

- FOX News Senior VP Michael Clemente

I agree. Usually in a "newspaper" such "sections" are clearly marked.

It's interesting that Clemente does not say that Fox News clearly marks that same distinctions, but rather says that Fox's programming represents the same format.

But how can the viewer make that distinction between the reporter's "reporting" and his/her "opinion" if the newscast does not clearly identify one from the other?

In fairness to Fox News, though, ALL television and radio personalities should begin their opinions by stating, "IN MY OPINION..." rather than just stating an opinion as if it were FACT.

Posted by: Tell the Truth | October 12, 2009 11:56 AM

@chigirl..... almost writes itself. --
MSNBC certainly does stand for what is the worst part of "freedom of the press." They are the all-Obama network. Everyone knows that except for the hypnotized Democrats. MSNBC is neither balanced nor thoughtful in their Olbermann-like tirades. No intelligent person can seriously watch that drivel.

Posted by: Chicago Al | October 12, 2009 11:59 AM

Just ignore fox, what are we 12 years old, you are just giving them more ratings

Posted by: King_Cutler | October 12, 2009 12:01 PM

Unfortunately, Fox news is the only news media outlet giving any kind of dissenting view. C'mon people, nobody can be right 100% of the time. The free pass this president is getting, is very distubing to the majority of the voters in this country. Even those that voted for him...

Posted by: cardnl2 | October 12, 2009 12:11 PM

Fox is more like entertainment network. It is not knowning for anything else but tabloid.
If you want to know something like a woman gave birth to an alien, Fox is your network. Their talk shows are freaky sometimes, but they are entertaint.

Posted by: k. | October 12, 2009 12:13 PM

If the president can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Why treat Fox any different from any other network? Must be because the White House can't control FOX like it must do with other networks.

Posted by: character counts | October 12, 2009 12:16 PM

I love the Fox News complainers. Most of you like to pretend that the New York Times, CNN, MSNBC and the rest don't have their own left-leaning agendas. Grow up. Your best bet is to always always always check multiple sources for news - left and right. Somewhere in there you'll get the full story. Maybe.

Posted by: no name | October 12, 2009 12:19 PM

If it wasn't for fox news, the goverment run media would not have reported (kicking and screaming mind you) the Nut job Van Jones, unbelievable Acorn videos, Nea (using a non-patisan arts organization to spread Obama's propaganda). and so on.

Fox News is one of the few news outlets that actually informs people about what is going on with this administration instead of hyping MO's biceps or the chronicles of BO the dog.

Posted by: Dave | October 12, 2009 12:19 PM

Hey Obama Administration... Don't blame Fox for your inability to get anything of substance achieved. You've done NOTHING.

So Fox doesn't "bend over" for you like every other network does... You shouldn't care or cut them out of the loop.

I've never seen a bigger bunch of crybabies in my life than those in the White House - from Obama on down.

Posted by: Jeff | October 12, 2009 12:19 PM

Fox is the purveyor of thoughtful and incisive reports of news and other items which are not even mentioned by the left organ, msnbc and other squawk boxes who cater to the white house crowd of liberal loonies

Posted by: william meenan | October 12, 2009 12:21 PM

What the White House is REALLY succeeding at is driving up Fox's ratings. Despite all the hype, the WH is starting to expose its major weakness: A love affair with the media. The major media has fawned all over the President, ex-Fox, and the Nobel Prize is a prime example. The problem is that the Pres's approval ratings have dropped, the blank-check from the media is going away, and the Pres's performance record - actual, real performance - is becoming an issue for even his own party.
What's next, after they're done with Fox? Attack SNL for their critical skits?
I want the President to succeed, but this is a stupid waste of time. His staff is being exposed as inexperienced, and rather than focused on the issues, focused on his portrayal in the media. He may not like Fox coverage, but get over it. I doubt Bush liked the way he was portrayed by Keith Olberman & MSNBC. Rather than trying to draw the attention to Fox, get on the job and drive on the issues. The president needs less TV exposure, less media "talking head" opportunities, and more leadership on the issues. That will shut up the critics, on both the Rt & the Left.

Posted by: Jim | October 12, 2009 12:22 PM

Did Ms. Dunn have an opinion regarding MSNBC?

Thank you Chicago Al, Years ago MSNBC was respectable, now they are as bad as FOX, they cancel eachother out. If you get your news from one of these channels and nowhere else it is my opinion you have a distorted view of the facts.

Posted by: Butcher | October 12, 2009 12:24 PM

Fox News is for the right. MSNBC is totally for the left, as most news stations are these days!

I think all news stations should go back to being on Neutral Ground. That would be reporting I would like to see!

Posted by: gidget1616 | October 12, 2009 12:26 PM

Why all the moaning, this has been going on for many many years. The left have thier boys and the right have thiers. So what.

Posted by: william meenan | October 12, 2009 12:29 PM

Obama can't stand the truth. He is a bold fancy talking liar! His health care speeches are stupid. He has no idea what Congress is doing and they don't either. Obama needs to sh!t or get off of the pot. He's not leading, not following, and not getting out of the way. He's just a corrupt Chicago Democrat acting as expected!

Posted by: ken chicago | October 12, 2009 12:34 PM

I'm well aware of the perils of comparing anything today to 1930s Germany, but let's be clear about this: Fox is the Republican Party's propaganda network, and goofballs like Sean Hannity serve as Conservatives' Joseph Goebbel (Hitler's propaganda minister). While loyal Fox viewers lap up all that is prepared and served to them on this pathetic "fair and balanced news" (how utterly laughable) network," they should instead be insulted that Fox thinks so little of its viewers that it manipulates them like cats chasing a string. Good for the White House for taking on Fox. Snarky little back-biting fools like those at Fox always cower in the face of courage, and these slimeballs will slither away into the shadows in the same way. As for those blindly obedient Fox viewers: snap out of it and try living in reality-based America, where truly patriotic people strive to solve real problems with sensible solutions. JL

Posted by: John LeGear | October 12, 2009 12:37 PM

Be a PRESIDENT and talk with those who disagree with you as much as those who agree with you.

But instead this "president" CHOOSES to only talk with those who agree with him....yea, that makes sense.

Posted by: jt | October 12, 2009 12:38 PM

it's horrible when the media doesn't support you, isn't it?
Bush dealt with it, too bad obama isn't man enough to do the same. obama is still having a hard time understanding that 1/2 the country doesn't trust him and actually despise him.
Good for FOX, they help to try to balance the "arms of the democratic party) ie abc, cbs, nbc, msnbc, cnn etc.
How objective can a reporter be when he says he gets goosebumps listening to a guy read... like that blowhard matthews did.
It's comical, just like the comedy of the obama administration - tax cheats, communists, etc.
obama the divider.... he be the nobel prize winner with the most deaths attributed to him.
What is obama's death toll, it seems cnn, msnbc and those other arms of the democrats couldn't report it enough when President Bush was in office.
It's a shame they don't really care about the troops, or the truth for that matter.

Posted by: worsethanbefore | October 12, 2009 12:40 PM

Posted by: worsethanbefore | October 12, 2009 12:41 PM

As a Democrat, I barely watch ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN and their ilk any more. FOX is the only station which will challenge the government establishment these days and that's a good thing. Why do you think FOX's viewership has surpassed any other fringe media such as CNN? News should never be a push over for the government, even if it pushes an agenda to your liking.

Posted by: David Kong | October 12, 2009 12:42 PM

It's about time.The Fox nuts are the Republiction (Bull Moose, No Nothing) party's PR organization.

Posted by: gibster | October 12, 2009 12:46 PM

I am stunned by the hypocrisy of the Democrats/Liberals. It's OK for them to criticize the Republicans/Conservatives views, yet cannot accept criticism of theirs.

Doesn't that smell like Communism/Socialism where ONLY the government’s opinion is allowed, or else.

Posted by: Barbara Wroblewski | October 12, 2009 12:58 PM

Fox News = ONE view point in America.

New reporting should be more broad in the interpretation of those who are making news.

Obama's ideas on how to proceed on different issues should be reported to the public, Fox takes these ideas and portraits them as BAD, in an attempt to persuade the public to think and act according to right-wing ideals, I call that an office and TV station of the Republican party.

As long as we know what they are, then we should not call them a news outlet but a one-sided reporting outlet.

I have stopped buying any product that advertises on Fox News to make my point.

Posted by: jf | October 12, 2009 1:04 PM

I'm a Democrat, and I happen to enjoy watching Shepard Smith's nightly newscast. It is pure news without spin unlike O'Reily etc. I understand the difference between news and opinion which apparently many have forgotten about, including the White House. This looks aweful smallish of them to even be involved in. I think it shows some insecurity,

Posted by: Larry | October 12, 2009 1:09 PM

It's awful that a news program fact checked someone? All news programs should be doing that, not just Fox, and they shouldn't be mouthpieces for the Administration. By the way, has there been a swamp piece about how CNN fact checked a Saturday Night Live skit that criticized Obama?

Posted by: ed | October 12, 2009 1:10 PM

They smoke a lot of *Hopium* in the White House. It makes them crabby.

Posted by: leftistconservative | October 12, 2009 1:12 PM

Fox News is the only news outlet that isn't a cheerleader for Obama; and yes they do report the issues that concern many independent thinkers regarding inconsistencies with Obama statements and deeds. CNN is the closest to the middle; people like Jack Cafferty balance out Glenn Beck; you can find biases in all news outlets. If you want to find out what's going on, watch both CNN and Fox News and find your own balance. Dismissing Fox News means you will definitely not get all the facts; just you’re comfy Kool-Aid.

Posted by: John Kelly | October 12, 2009 1:13 PM

Dunn needs a bit of retraining as a public speaker, 'you know.'

Posted by: Shamus | October 12, 2009 1:19 PM

John LeGear writes: I'm well aware of the perils of comparing anything today to 1930s Germany, but let's be clear about this: Fox is the Republican Party's propaganda network, and goofballs like Sean Hannity serve as Conservatives' Joseph Goebbel (Hitler's propaganda minister).
Apparently not...
YOU are the perfect example of what is wrong with political debate in this country. Rather than address the issues, you make personal attacks. Comparing anyone, even conservatives, to the Nazis just serves to divide, destroy and add to the HYSTERIA.... People like YOU are why polarized networks like Fox & MSNBC prosper. You are the answer to "Where do these people come from?"

Posted by: Jim | October 12, 2009 1:29 PM

Is FOX a news network? Last time I clicked by the FOX network, a female impersonating a news commentator was laughing at a man stuck on a ski lift. There was an accident on the ski lift and the man was hanging upside down. His clothing was the only thing holding the man from falling to his death. His pants had been pulled down in the process. Certain areas of the photo had been obscured. The female (won't call her a lady) Fox news impersonator was laughing hysterically at the photos. The two other men were laughing also, however not to the extent of the female's tirade of laughter. I thought, what a bunch of inappropriate, immature and mean babies FOX puts out there to do its bidding.

A year or so ago, there was a report that when Cheney went to hotels, his staff had to set the TV to the FOX, or perhaps FOX-Cheney, network. Talk about thin skin. Biased news is not news. Its propaganda.

Posted by: Vivian | October 12, 2009 1:31 PM

Have we forgotten the election already?!?!? NBC, ABC, CBS CNN, MSNBC et al were squealing, drooling, crying and fawning at the feet of candidate Obama like a bunch of 12 year old girls at a boy band concert. Mcain was represented as a senile old fool, and Palin as a total nutball. FOX was the only network that didn't sell out the American people in this love fest, and it remains true to its principles today. Whether you agree with them or not, you gotta respect the fact they are willing to stand their ground in a frenzied firestorm of left wing sentiment. FOX is our reminder of how democracy is supposed to work.

Posted by: JoeMo | October 12, 2009 1:42 PM

Jeff, Your crybaby comments are so funny. Fox is the only station who employs crybabies. I have seen Beck regularly cry on cue; Hannity cries for effect and O'Reily occasionally cries. Fox is a tabloid news station. It is half Entertainment Tonight and half commentary. More coverage of missing or murdered white girls than all stations combined.

Posted by: pd | October 12, 2009 1:53 PM

DUNN: "Chris Wallace from the Sunday shows. And I told Major quite honestly that we had told Chris Wallace that having fact-checked an administration guest on his show -- something I've never seen a Sunday show do. And, Howie, you can show me examples of where Sunday shows have fact-checked previous weeks' guests, and I'd be happy to see those."

Wonder how Anita Dunn feels about that mainstream network CNN fact checking Saturday Night Live after they took a few shots at Obama a couple of weeks ago. I'll assume that was OK since it was in support of their agenda.

Posted by: Dean | October 12, 2009 1:57 PM

Hmmmm, does that make NBC and MSNBC the direct arm of the Democratic party? The DailyKook? Moveon.org? The Obama administration? Aren't both Jeff Zucker and Jeffrey Imelt in bed with Obama and the Democrats?
Hmmm, after SNL lampooned Obimbo last week, CNN actually had a piece examining what was factually correct about the SNL skit. Hmmm, did CNN ("the real news network!") do the same when SNL lampooned Palin? Bush? Cheney?
Hmmm, didn't CNN's Eason Jordan have to resign after he claimed U.S. troops were targeting journalists?
Or what about CNN's bogus story on Operation Tailwind? This journalism scandal had CNN putting its tail between its legs in utter embarrassment.
Speaking of embarrassments, the reali for this sadministration is that Fox News is one of the few outlets that aren't in the bag for it. Obimbo and the Demoncraps are used to just about every news organization doing as they tell them to do. For instance, where is the media coverage of the Charlie Rangel scandal? Mark Silva and the rest of the Tribune gang seem to not even know it exists, for instance.
Fortunately, enough Americans are still wise enough to see through the BS. Poll after poll shows by huge margins most Americans know that most media is in the bag for Obimbo. And most Americans are shying away from sham media outlets like MSNBC, NBC, CNN, Time, Newsweek and most daily newspapers because they know the journalism they get is as flawed as anything in this planet's history. I know, criticizing the media and the Chicago Tribune means automatic censorship.

Posted by: John D | October 12, 2009 1:57 PM

Yawn--everyone knows Fox is nothing but a Repub propaganda machine. Only difference is that the mainsteam press is finally starting to notice and - gasp - report on what Fox really is. Kudos to the White House for calling a spade a spade.

Posted by: Elena | October 12, 2009 2:00 PM

If Obama can't handle Fox News, how is he going to deal with Iran?

Posted by: DownWithDa2PartySystem | October 12, 2009 2:05 PM

Doesn't that smell like Communism/Socialism where ONLY the government’s opinion is allowed, or else.

Posted by: Barbara Wroblewski | October 12, 2009 12:58 PM

No, it doesn. You know why? Because communism and socialism are ECONOMIC systems, not political systems. I'm stunned by the utter and relentless stupidity of the right.

Posted by: Nel | October 12, 2009 2:09 PM

Let's see. Lined up behind Barack "NICHOLAE CARPATHIA" OBAMA are CBS, NBC, ABC, MSNBC, CNN, NY Times, Washington Post, LA Times and most other major newspapers.

Lined up behind more than 50% of Americans are FOX, WSJ, Washington Times and a few other major newspapers.

You go FOX!! F*** the Whitehouse!!

Posted by: Don | October 12, 2009 2:09 PM

Hey, can someone tell our liberal friends in Congress to get cracking on the climate change bill, things need to start heating up, we've had snow already and it's only October ...!

Posted by: Al Gore Jr. | October 12, 2009 11:21 AM
;
Unintentionally you revealed yourself to be a PRIME example of what is wrong with FOX viewers. You are ignorant. Nevermind that GLOBALLY this past year has been on of the warmest on record, polar ice caps continue to melt and the ocean temps continue to rise. As long as there are ignorant rubes who think, "global warmin' is a lie. It was cold in ma trailer park yesterday" America will never achieve maximum greatness.
PS Check out the case of Tony LaRussa vs twitter. You might want to stop committing Identity Theft by pretending to be someone other than yourself you coward.

Posted by: janet | October 12, 2009 2:11 PM

So the while house is upset because they feel FOX sides with the republicans. I guess Obama having ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC and the new york times standing at attention and issuing the stiff arm salute isn't enough for him. Looks like Obama wants to go down in history like his idols...Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Mao, Chavez and Castro.

Posted by: Guy Williams | October 12, 2009 2:15 PM

My question is why does the White House Communications Director say "you know" so many times? If we knew we wouldn't need a Communications Director.

Posted by: Tom S | October 12, 2009 2:19 PM

Faux News is and always has been, the media-propaganda arm of the Republican party.

Posted by: red bull dolphin | October 12, 2009 2:21 PM

If the formerly mainstream media would not lean so far to the left, there would be no need for a Fox News. There is a horrendous void in journalism today. Very few "journalists" are unbiased and intellectually curious. Most seek to further their beliefs and political agenda through their journalism. The majority of journalists are liberal and leftist so that is now the accepted slant of the formerly mainstream media. It's a shame that very few "journalists" are willing to look for the truth rather than look for vindication and a projection of themselves.

Posted by: mike wazowski | October 12, 2009 2:23 PM

Faux will always win the ratings game, they're not a real news outlet. It's nothing more than BS propaganda made to order for the dumber than a brick, low IQ rednecks who make up what's left of the Republican base.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edYeqzTJci4
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4HlVcJw1QU
.

Posted by: former Republican | October 12, 2009 2:26 PM

Fox News Product IS the propaganda machine for the RW & repubs. When they started hosting political events, they completely lost their credibility as a journalists.

OTOH, the White House should just ignore them as an entity and go on refuting the lies and disinformation they spew.

Posted by: incognita | October 12, 2009 2:27 PM

"Reality has a well known liberal bias." - Stephen Colbert, White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, 4/29/2006

Posted by: Brian U | October 12, 2009 2:28 PM

Dems get their information from a variety of sources whereas the Repugs ALL gather at the Faux "News" trough to get fed their daily talking points, like the toothless rubes they are.

Dems want to know the truth, Repugs want Faux to reinforce their belief that Jesus rode a dinosaur and the Earth is flat....that explains Faux's ratings. Big deal....
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-eyuFBrWHs
.

Posted by: Bobbie Mobbie | October 12, 2009 2:32 PM

The entire Media is biased!!!

The Sycophants we have in Government and Media distract us while our country is falling apart.

Posted by: Lucas D. Gaffney | October 12, 2009 2:33 PM

And, in other news guaranteed to make lefties' heads explode, "Prickly City" is back on the Trib comic pages!

Posted by: DaveB | October 12, 2009 2:35 PM

What the Hey! That is what happens when one person owns a network as large as FOX. Rupert Murdoch was just over in England trying to get legislation to charge for e-mails on the internet. Send that greedy, old, right wing nut back to Australia. Deport him if necessary. He runs around the world acting like a bully. Remember the Republicans never do anything for this country they only do things to this country! whiteagle38

Posted by: Raymond Juneau | October 12, 2009 2:41 PM

It's good to see this new attitude from the White House. Fox isn't a news organization and it shouldn't be treated as one.

Posted by: Kathy | October 12, 2009 2:42 PM

Faux news deserves to be mocked and detested but not legitimized. I'll never forget the way that producer was trying to whip the teabaggers into a frenzy for the cameras. They've done as much damage with their lies as the corporate media has done with its complacence
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http://vodpod.com/watch/2213591-fox-news-producer-caught-rallying-912-protest-crowd

Posted by: Ace Mcfarland | October 12, 2009 2:47 PM

Looks like the Palin Administration has reached an all time low with Mrs. President's newest venture into the media crusade.....oh wait.

Posted by: WWSPD?? | October 12, 2009 2:54 PM

There is a time-honored and unspoken tradition in journalism to label fact-reporting as such and opinion as such. To purposefully disguise opinion as fact means you are propaganda. And that is what Fox is. Are there others out there? To be sure. But Fox behaves more like a disease than other organizations. At Fox it seems to be the entirety of the organism.

Fox has been waging all out anti-Obama war for awhile now. If they've been holding back while calling President Obama an anti-American, communist, fascist, anti-christ traitor who wasn't born in this country and wants to kill old people and destroy America I'd be curious to see how they play hard ball.

Posted by: Paige | October 12, 2009 3:00 PM

I love Fox News. They consistently have people with differing view points come on to debate, and that's what its all about. Its the best news channel out there.

Posted by: Joe | October 12, 2009 3:06 PM

Where was the Swamp in the last 8 years, especially the election, where NBC, MSNBC, Hollywood, and half the newspapers in the country served as both Obama campaign writers and Bush and Palin assasins.

Posted by: Napper Tandy | October 12, 2009 3:06 PM

LeGear: You are full of crap. I don't know how old you are but comparing the conservs with the the nazis is so far out in left field, it's pathetic. I was there in 39, were you?

Posted by: william meenan | October 12, 2009 3:08 PM